Sophia’s POV
SUNDAY EVENING.
Ivan had them bring me a comfortable outfit me and later dropped me off at home.
I contemplated on when to actually discuss with Harry. Now that I was alone and at home, I didn’t have the same courage as I did earlier. But I knew I had to carry on with my plan.
I took out my phone and I clicked on Harry’s text for the first time today.
Harry: Uhmm Hi.
Harry: What is going on?
Harry: Your phone has been switched off since last night.
Harry: Just call me, please.
My chest ached as I read his texts, I hated hurting people and I hate people who hurt others, but I’ve finally joined the category of people I hated. If only I hadn’t chickened out severally when I wanted to break off our engagement, we wouldn’t be here.
I typed out a reply and deleted it severally. He must have noticed the dancing bubbles cause he texted instead.
Harry: Finally…
Harry: Couldn’t reach you, I was worried.
How could he be worried about me in this situation?
I had to talk to him, it was now or never.
Me: Hey
Me: Can we meet up this evening?
Me: I need to talk to you.
Harry: I figured…
Harry: What is with all these rumours and… the pictures?
Harry: I thought you said Ivan was a friend?
Harry: I don’t understand. Are the rumours true?
I blew out a breath as my fingers hovered on the screen. How do I answer that?
Me: Let’s just meet and talk.
Me: Is that okay?
Harry: I’ll come pick you up.
Me: No, no
Me: I will be fine. Let’s meet at the coffee shop near my place in about 30 minutes.
Me: That’s okay with you?
Harry: Okay… Sure.
Me: Thank you.
Harry: Alright.
With a sigh, I locked my phone and got ready to meet with Harry. I really hope I don’t mess things up this time. No, I’m overthinking this…All I need to do is, tell him the truth about everything.
The coffee shop was dimly lit, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. I sat at a corner table, nervously tapping my fingers on the wooden surface. Somehow it felt like everyone was watching me, I knew I was being paranoid but I was still grateful for the sunglasses I wore.
I’d decided to arrive a little earlier to be able to calm my nerves about what I was about to do. Stupid idea. It only made me more nervous. I glanced anxiously at the time. Harry should be here anytime soon.
Every time the door dinged, announcing the arrival of a new customer, my head snapped up.
Okay… Harry was running late, it’s been 55 minutes. What if he backed out? I wouldn’t blame him, he had every right to. Should I text him, would that sound too impatient? Okay, I’ll give him ten more minutes.
Ding!
“One more of that sound and I’m banging my head against the wall,” I grumbled.
“Hey.” The familiar voice made me look up from my phone. Harry had arrived, his expression was a mix of worry and confusion. I felt a pang of guilt.
“Hi,” I replied.
He pulled out the chair across from me and sat down. “I’m sorry I arrived late, I had to finish up something.”
“It’s fine,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “Thank you for meeting me.”
“It’s nothing,” He stared at me like he was trying to read me and then he spoke up. “Can you tell me what is really going on? The media… are-This is all just a whole big misunderstanding, right?” He asked, his gaze unwavering as he waited for my reply.
I took a deep breath, trying to give myself the courage to do the right thing. “Harry,” I began, my heart pounding in my chest, threatening to escape my ribs. “The media- fuck. Ivan and I are sleeping together. He’s not just a friend like I told you.”
His brows furrowed as hurt flashed on his face, and I wanted to kick myself. “I-I… how? When did this start? How? But we are engaged.” His voice was low and filled with hurt and confusion.
My throat constricted as my belly tightened. “It started long before we were engaged, Harry,” I admitted. “Not that it makes what I did right, I shouldn’t have fooled you, you don’t deserve that.”
His jaw tightened and I could see hurt and anger in his eyes. “Why didn’t you say anything? I told you how I felt about you, yet you never said you had someone else in mind,” he said calmly. His shoulders slumped and his head hung low.
You really are a worthless piece of shit, Sophia.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I know apologising won’t change anything, but I really am. I wanted to break our engagement but I didn’t know how to tell you and I tried several times.”
He nodded slightly. “So… if you’re both in love with each other, why then did you agree to marry me?”
I dropped my eyes to my hands, and suddenly they seemed interesting.
“Sophia?”
I sighed and met his gaze. “We aren’t in love, Ivan and I. Sure… I do have feelings for him-which I’ve only just discovered recently. But he’s… I don’t know. He’s not the reason I wanted us to break our engagement. I’d wanted to do that since before my dad died and when he did, it felt like it was the perfect timing because this whole marriage thing was his idea.”
He exhales. “That’s a lot. I do know it was your father’s idea but you could have just said no,” he pointed out.
I shook my head as a bitter laugh escaped me. “We didn’t have that kind of relationship, Harry. He practically threatened me into agreeing to marry you.”
His expression softened. “I… I didn’t know that. I’m sorry.”
“Shit. No, you don’t have to apologize, it’s all on me, Harry. I fucked up.”
He leaned back in his chair, studying me. “So what do you want? I don’t know how I feel about this, I really do like you,” he said.
“I know… and I’m sorry I let things get so complicated. That’s why I called you here, so we could discuss breaking this alliance.” I gestured between us. “I couldn’t develop feelings for you… I see you as a friend,” I whispered.
For a while, he stayed quiet and I looked away, I couldn’t stand the hurt in his eyes. But it had to be done. Indulging him would only hurt him further.
I was surprised when he reached across the table and rested his hand gently on mine.
“I won’t say I’m okay with your decision, I mean, I have fallen for you,” he chuckled dryly. “But I will respect your decision, I always want you to be happy. If ending our union will make you happy, then I agree to it.”
My eyes widened at his words. “You’re serious about that.”
He sighed heavily. “Yes, I am. What other choice do I have? But there’s something you should consider. The media. They are out to get you, announcing our breaking is like adding salt to an injury. They will tear you apart. Let’s not forget about how furious my father is right now.”
He was right. My heart squeezed in my chest as I tried to imagine what would happen once we announced this to the public amidst this scandal.
Harry turned my chin so my eyes could meet his. “Don’t lose hope yet. I can always handle my father and I have a solution.”
My ears perk up. “What solution?” I can’t believe he’s still helping me after everything. See? I don’t deserve Harry.
He took a breath. “What if… what if we don’t end things immediately? Since the media are only guessing about you and Ivan’s relationship at the moment, we could keep showing the media that we are a couple. I’d organize paparazzi to get shots of us having a good time. We do that for a month or so, then we can officially part ways.
I blinked at him. “Are you sure? You’d do that for me?”
He nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. “I said I wanted you to always be happy and I meant that. We could even have an interview together.”
I felt a wave of relief wash over me as I considered his proposal. I’ll never be able to pay for his kindness and willingness to protect me. “Okay,” I finally replied. “Let’s do that.”
He gave my hand a gentle squeeze. “If I can’t be with you, I should at least be there for you. I could speak to my assistant tomorrow to organize everything, how does that sound?”
I smiled widely at him.”Sounds perfect to me.”
My phone vibrated on the table and I picked it up.
“One minute,” I told Harry.
It was a text.
Another weird text.
+44 XXXX: We can’t hold off much longer. We need them delivered soon. I will keep in touch later this week or next.
My mind raced as I tried to remember if I’d had any discussion about deliveries with anyone recently but nothing came to mind.
Maybe I should just call this number when I get home?
I quickly brushed off the unease I felt and dwelled on the fact that things went well between me and Harry. And he was helping me out.
I couldn’t be more grateful.